There is a lot of talk about living “in the moment,” but that expression can be so vague and mean a variety of different things to different people. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge proponent of “in the moment” living, but I’m curious how you stay in the moment.

Many people equate living in the moment with being present—conscious or aware. Do you think there is a difference? Are these just different ways of saying the same thing? To me, presence is the only place where opportunity exists. Regret lives in the past. Worry lives in the future.

For me, the best things in my life have come out of learning to be still and be present (and comfortable) with myself. My relationship with my partner grew from an extended period of self-presence where I intentionally structured my life so that I could spend large tracts of time just being still and “present” with myself. I am convinced that it was that stillness, in part, that opened up the space in which a beautiful and life-affirming relationship could grow.

I picture it like a motion-blur picture. The world (and life energy) is flowing all around me. All I have to do is be still, observe it and allow the experiences that pass in and out of my life to flow. In that case, I become more the conductor of the music than the producer of it. The process is more spontaneous, effortless and light (and a heck of a lot of fun!).

What has been your experience with living in the moment? What have been the real-life, tangible benefits of living in the moment for you? How do you live in the moment?